The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-17
Talking For Jesus.

How much we talk! How many hours
the day we are saying something! In all this
stream Of words how few there are that bear
directly on the higher life, on matters that
reach it, and how to help others to reach it,
too. / by no means mean to say that there
is no religious conversation save that on these
direct lines have cited. One may be talk
ing for Christ as truly and as effectually on
the street as in the church, in the counting
room as in prayer-meeting, while doing
business as while seeking to win wandering
prodigal. But it is Of religious conversation,
as such, either oral or written, that l am
thinking now. Why is there so little Of itl
Why, in Christian circles even, does the quiet
Introduction Of a religious topic bring a
dreaded silence aud a perceptible chill over
the company7 Do not people talk about what
they likel And do not Christians like relig-
ionl Many times have / asked myself in
America, in England, and in India, Why is
itl Must 1t be always soa Can it not be
helped9
A blessed mother in Israel, whom met
when last in New England, but whom the
heavenly mansions have since received,
taught me how naturally, and effectively too,
a Christian can talk for his Master. In her
quiet and modest way she talked much and
to many Of the SaviOur's love, and her words
were always like balm and blessing.
Many will cherish her gentle words, so fifty
spoken, now that she is with us no more, for
they carried counsel and comfortto worn and
weary pilgrims. One Of our Santal Chris
tians is another illustration Of the right sort
of religious conversation. He, too, has
passed over to the other side, but all the time
be was here all who knew him marked the
ready Hood for talking for his Lord that this
converted jungle-man so admirably pre-
served.
An Englishman high up in Her Majesty's
service comes to me as still another case in
point, so naturally does he talk, and so win
ningly, too, of sacred things. But have not
known many such. On the other hand,
have heard men, bold enough elsewhere,
speak Of feeling timid when the conversation
took a religious turn, and / have seen
women, free to fault in all worldly talk,
grow suddenly dumb when approached upon
religious theme.
There must be lack somewhere, and every
true Christian should seek to supply it. II
we love the kingdom Of our Lord, we shall
have more to say about it. A devoted bride
talks freely, confidently, cordially, of him
she is soon to marry. So should the Church
speak often with genuine love, admiration,
and delight of her Bridegroom and Lord. If
the love be true and tender, the language for
telling it will not be lacking. Every natural
defect or drawback must give way to the
4
ance of the heart the mouth will speak OF
Gods grace and guidance, and such words
always tell.
In these days Of fashion and frivolity
every disciple Of Christ needs to pray very
often that plain and practical prayer, "Let
the words Of my mouth and the meditation Of
my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, o Lord,
my strength and my redeemer." There should
be far more Of religious solemnity and sweet
ness in our common talk, and who can doubt
that the more of Christ we have in our hearts
the more Of Him there will be On our lps7
And the more Of Him, too, will there appear
in our letters. / wonder every day that
Christians put so little of their holy religion
into their letters. Amid the piles OF letters !
am receiving from men and women Of all
classes and many lands, I am finding little,
very little indeed, by which I can pick out
believers letter from those written by the
careless, the ungodly. Should not the SAVIOR
Of the glorious gospel be found IN every let
ter written by Christian, distinguishing it
from the mass Of our letters that are merely
friendly or kind or polite OF pleasant or in
teresting? ] d. get letters that have this
genuine SAVIOR Of the gospel, and how they
help and lift mel God bless the dear friends
on both sides Of the world who write themi
Let Us give Christ better chance in all our
talk, and in our letters too, and so help one
another on the journey home.7fRev. ]. l.
Philips, N. D., Of India.